RESEARCH ARTICLE
Etmopterus benchleyi
n. sp., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae)
from the central eastern Pacific Ocean
Victoria E. Vásquez, David A. Ebert,
& Douglas J. Long
Abstract
A new species of lanternshark,
Etmopterus benchleyi n. sp., is described from
eight specimens collected off the Pacific coast of
Central America at depths ranging between 836 and
1443 meters. The new species is placed in the Etmopterus
spinax clade by a lack of flank markings and the
moderately short, slender, hook-like, conical dermal
denticles distributed over the body. It can be distinguished
from its closest congeners based on a combination
of coloration, proportional body measurements, meristic
counts, arrangement of dermal denticles, and size
at maturity. The dorsal fins of the new species are
either similar in size or the second dorsal fin is
slightly larger than the first vs. the second dorsal
fin distinctly larger than the first in E. granulosus,
E. princeps, and E. litvinovi. The pre-oral
length is shorter in the new species (6.9–9.0% TL)
than in its closest congeners, E. granulosus
(7.9-11.3% TL) and E. princeps (9-10% TL).
The tooth count in the lower jaw is higher in E.
benchleyi (30–36) than in E. granulosus
(28), but lower than in E. litvinovi (40–50)
and E. princeps (40–50). Photophores in E.
benchleyi are sparse compared to other etmopterids
and difficult to identify due to its uniform black
color. This new species is also distinct from other
members of the E. spinax clade in having dense
concentrations of dermal denticles closely surrounding
the eyes and gill openings. E. benchleyi is
the only Etmopterus species presently known
from the Pacific coast of Central America.
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CITATION:
Vásquez, V.E., Ebert, D.A.
& Long, D.J. (2015) Etmopterus benchleyi
n. sp., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae)
from the central eastern Pacific Ocean. Journal
of the Ocean Science Foundation, 17, 43-55.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1051834
publication date: 21 December
2015
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